The Marvels director Nia DaCosta has cleared the air on the drama regarding reports of her leaving the upcoming MCU film while it was in post-production.
A bombshell Variety report last week (which also revealed ideas to bring back the OG Avengers cast, as well as some of their Jonathan Majors backup plans) included the tidbits that apparently “eyebrows were raised” when DaCosta began working on another movie, Hedda, while The Marvels was still in post-production. DaCosta, however, addressed the report in a YouTube interview with Jake Hamilton, saying that the situation… isn’t as dramatic as it was quickly made out to be.
“They moved the date of the film four different times,” she explained. “So instead of being a two-year process, which I was deeply committed to, it became a three-and-a-half-year process… and they knew the entire time that I had an obligation, a greenlit movie with people that were waiting for me.”
She went on to say that “we all knew” that she wouldn’t be able to be in LA to finish on in-person The Marvels if it was pushed again, as she had to move to London for Hedda. So, she added, they figured out a way to finish out her work on The Marvels remotely.
“By the time I left to go to London to start prep on my next film, everyone was so clear about what the film was, what we wanted,” she said. “It really wasn’t this dramatic sort of thing people are thinking it is.”
Since my interview with Nia DaCosta is being spread around today, I just wanted to ensure the entire question and answer were both out there.
I appreciate her kindness and openness during our interview.
I hope you’ll check out the full conversation: https://t.co/Eha3S9bRMC pic.twitter.com/EdJVOI4b82
— Jake Hamilton (@JakesTakes) November 6, 2023
Even before DaCosta gave her own reasoning, plenty of others pointed out that this isn’t an entirely uncommon practice in Hollywood, so it was a little odd that it was being highlighted by Variety’s sources. In asking the question, Hamilton even pointed out that her situation was similar to that of Steven Spielberg, who went to work on Schindler’s List while Jurassic Park was in post-production in 1993.
Others, too, made note of this on X/Twitter after the report was initially published.
This happens all the time btw. Also DaCosta was still very involved in postprod on the film. It takes a lot to direct a Marvel movie. Nia DaCosta was only 30 when she got the gig – Marvel’s youngest director ever. She’s a tremendous talent who is making history with #TheMarvels.… https://t.co/Aom6VnP7L8
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) November 2, 2023
Yes, how dare she…be employed and have tons of work and do what all directors with multiple jobs do.
— Shaurya Chawla (@_ShauryaChawla) November 1, 2023
Joss Whedon directed a whole other movie while doing post on THE AVENGERS.
Steven Spielberg directed SCHINDER’S LIST when JURASSIC PARK was in post.
This is common. https://t.co/DLRhkgAnXq
— Brian Lynch (@BrianLynch) November 2, 2023
So… there you have it. Seemingly not a big deal after all.
The Marvels releases in theaters Nov. 10.
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